My throat went tight as I glanced over and found Holly, who had Jackson in her arms.
“Jack, you’re one hell of a man. Thank you for always being there, for never giving up on me, and now, for coming here and helping me make this place something my old man would be proud of. All day I’ve felt him looking down on us, smiling.” He held up his glass to the crowd. “So tonight, this one’s for you, Dad.”
“To Dad,” I added, raising my glass to meet Aaron’s.
The crowd echoed our toast and we all drank together.
Aaron set his beer aside and pulled me in for a tight embrace. “Thanks, brother,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
I nodded. “Thank you.”
We parted and Aaron passed over the mic before taking his beer and going to stand beside Gemma, leaving the floor mine. I drew in a deep breath and stared at the crowd. Most of them were still recovering from Aaron’s heartfelt speech, some wiping at their eyes. Likely those who had known his father. I found Holly’s eyes across the room and she smiled at me before blowing a kiss.
“Thank you, Aaron, for those words. I’m gonna do my damnedest to live up to them. Being a pilot was my dream from my earliest memories. I always wanted to fly—yes, even off the roof of the garage on occasion,” I said, pausing for a light wave of laughter. “I joined the Navy as soon as they’d let me and spent nearly fourteen years in active duty and now remain in the reserves. That love of flying used to be my driving force. My reason to wake up each day. Right up until I met this beautiful lady on the beaches just a few miles from here.”
I smiled as everyone swiveled to look at Holly. Jackson giggled and kicked, making everyone laugh again.
“That day my whole life changed and then, just a few months ago, it changed all over again when that little meatball joined the ranks.” A soft round of applause went through the room and Jackson gave the crowd a wide, gummy grin. “I still love flying and that’s what led me to open McGuire Charters here in partnership with the Rosen Air Museum. I learned that while I still need the sky and the wide-open horizon, I know there’s nowhere else, or anyone else, that I’d rather fly back home to at the end of the day.”
Holly wiped at her eyes and mouthed I love you.
“So, for you, Holly, and my little man, Jackson, I love you. Thank you for joining me on this journey. To Aaron, my brother for life, thank you for giving me this opportunity. And to all of you, thank you for building this amazing community where friends have become family. May we all have a long and bright future together in Holiday Cove!”
Everyone raised their glasses. “Cheers!”